Stopcock



L. s. HAMER STOPCOCK Filed OCT.. 30. `1929 2 Sheets-Sheet A Jan. 3,1933.

i L. s. HAMER STOPCOCK Filed Oct. 30, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedJan. 3, 1933` UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE rLIILAJSI'D S. HAIER, 0FLONG.BIAOH, CALIFORNIA STOPCOCK Application filed October 30, 1929.Serial No. 403,441.

vide a stop cock that is particularly adapted.

to handle fluids under high pressures.

Considerable difiiculty has been encountered in providing a stop cockthat is suitable for use on pipe lines or conduits handling fluid underhigh pressures. The common forms of stop cocks are not practical `oreil'ective on conduits handling fluid containing solid matter; forinstance, on slush pump manifolds, headers, or the like, passing rotarymud used in well drilling. The stop cocks employed in such situationsmust be of extremely sturdy construction as the cores or plugs are oftenstruck to'loosen them before being operated or turned. Further, theusual stop cocks soon leak or cut out around the plugs and when theplugs are loosened prior to being operated, the mud or fluld squirts ordischarges from around the plugs into the face and eyes of the operator.

It is an object of the invention to provlde a stop cock that isparticularly .suited for use in handling fluid containing solid matter,such as rotary mud, at high pressures.. Another object of theinventionis to provide a stop cock of the character mentioned that isformed so that it does not materially retard the How of fluid when open.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stop cock that isconstructed so as to be uid tight at all times under extreme pressures,the plug being retained in the body so that it is yieldingly urged intotight seating engagement with the body, even, when op erated or turned.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stop cock that embodiesa iange or shield on the plug to prevent Huid from discharging upon theoperator in the event of leakage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stop cock that isparticularly sturdy and strong; having protecting or reinforcing partson both the plug and body.

Another object of the invention is to pro- 59 vide a stop cock thatembodies special packing means that operates to prevent leakage aroundthe plu A fu-rtherobject of the invention is to provide a stop cock thatis formed so as to be quickly and effectively mounted or inserted in apipe line.

tion will be best and more fully understood from the following detaileddescription of a typical form and application of the invention,throughout which description reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which: t

Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of the stop cock provlded by thisinvention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the stop cock. Fig. 3 isy lanenlarged vertical detailed sectional view of the stop. cock showing itopen. Fig. 4, is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the stop cock in theclosed position. Fig. 5 is a vertical detailed lsectional view taken asindicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a horizontal detailedsectional view taken as indicated by line 6 6 on Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is anenlarged horizontal detailed sectional View taken as indicated by line7--7 on Fig. 5, and Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectionalview taken as indicated by line 8-8 on Fig. 4.

The sto cock provided by this invention is particu arly suited for usein connection with a slushpump or for use in the circulation line of awell drilling rig. The device is, however, adapted for various otheruses where high pressures are encountered. The invention, therefore, isnot to be considered as limited'or restricted to the application` abovereferred to, but is kto be taken as including any features orapplications that may fall within the scope of the claims.

The stop cock provided by this invention includes, generally, a body 10,a core or plug 11 seating at a tapered opening 12 in the body Otherobjects and eatures'Of my invenx structed to withstand the hard usage towhich it may be subjected at a well rig, or the like. The body 10 isprovided with a duid passage 15 extending completely through it. Passage15 preferably extends dialnetrically through the body so that it opensat opposte sides of the body. In accordance with the invention,outwardly projecting parts 16 are provided on the opposite sides of thebody 10 around the passage 15. The end portions of the passage 15 arepreferably of round cross section, while the central or middle portion17 of the passage is of oval or elongated cross section. rhe centralportion 17 of the passage 15 is elongated vertically or extends in thedirection of the plug opening 12 and the sides 17n are pitched orinclined so that they are parallel with the pitch or taper of the plug.lVith this formation the opening is narrower or smaller at what I willterm the lower end, than it is at the upper end. The upper and lowerwalls of the central portion 17 of the passage are curved or rounded, asclearly illustrated in the drawings.

The plug opening 12 extends completely through the body 10 and extendstransversely of the passage 15. The opening 12 is of round crosssectional configuration and is tapered inwardly and downwardly. Thetaper or inclination of the walls of the opening 12 is preferablyuniform throughout the length j of the opening. The end of the body '10around the lower end of the opening 12 is preferably made flat and atright angles to the axis of the opening. The upper end of the body 10around the opening 12 isprovided with an outwardly projecting radialflange 17". The upper or outer end of the flange 17b is preferably Hat.

The exterior of the body 10 is provided with strengthening orreinforcing ribs 18.\ It is preferred that the ribs 18 extend in bothdirections and be provided on both sides of the body.

In the preferred form of the invention the body 10 is constructed orformed so that it may be effectively and quickly installed in a pipeline. In the preferred form of the invention the projecting parts 16 areprovided at their outer ends with tapered seats 19. The seats 19 taperoutwardly from the ends of the passage 15. In the particular form of theinvention illustrated in the drawings, a sub or nipple 20 is attached.to each of the parts 16 by a nut or union part 21. The nipples 20 areprovided at their ends with beveled or tapered seating faces 22 whichfit the seats 19. A small radial flange 20B is provided on the exteriorof each of the nipples 20 adjacent the faces 22. The nuts 21 are screwthreaded on the parts 16 and are provided with inwardly extendingflanges 23 to engage the flanges 2O of the nipples. The nuts 21 may beprovided with .projecting wings 25 adapted to be struck or engaged forturning on the parts 16. The projecting portions of the nipples 21 maybe externally screw threaded to receive a coupling, or like part.

Theplug 11 is an elongated part of round cross section and it is formedto operate in the opening 12. The plug 11 is longitudinally tapered touniformly seat in the opening 12. The plug 11 is preferably longer thanthe opening 12 so that it projects a short distance above the upper' endof the body. A. shield in the form of a flange 27 projects radiallyoutward from the plug 11 above theJ upper end of the body 10. The flange27 may be of substantially the same size or diameter as the flange 17bof the body and is adapted to cooperate with theflange 17b to limit thedownward movement of the plug 11 in the body. The upper end part 28 ofthe plug 11 above the flange 27 is preferably made polyg onal so that itis adapted to be engaged by a wrench or suitable tool for operating orturning the plug. A protecting or reinforcing rib 30 may be provided onthe part 28 and a like rib 31 may be formed on the upper side of theflange 27. The plug 11 is preferably hollow so that the head or upperend part 28 is in the form of a dome. It is preferred to form the plugwith comparatively heavy walls, as shown in the drawings.

A transverse opening 32 is provided in the plug 11 of the same shape andsize as the central portion 17 of the passage 15. The opening 32 islocated so as to normally be in register with the portion 17 of thepassage when the stop cock is open. The lower end of the plug 11 isprovided with an outwardly or downwardly projecting stem 33. The stem 33is preferably concentric to the opening 12 and has a base portion 34 atthe end of the plug 11. rI he' base 34 is preferably olygonal or isprovided with flattened sides, as illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

The means 13 is provided to yieldingly urge the plug'll downwardly ofthe opening 12 so that the plug 11 is normally retained in tight seatingengagement with the walls of the opening. The means 13 is in the natureof spring means and includes a spring 36 arranged under compressionbetween a nut 37 screw threaded on the stem 33 and a washer 38 slidablymounted on the base 34 of the core. The washer 38 is provided with acentral opening 39 of the same shape as the base 34 and slidably passesthe base. The washer 38 is therefore slidable on the base 34 but is heldagainst rotation relative to the core. The washer 38 normally engagesthe lower end of the body 10 and is provided with an annular downwardlyfacing shoulder 40. The nut 37 is screw threaded on the stem 38 and isprovided with a'n axially extending apron or flange 41 which is slidableon the exterior of the washer 38. The spring 36 seats in an annularrecess 42 on the inner side of the nut 37 and is arranged undercompression between the bottom of the recess 42 and the shoulder 40 ofthe washer 38. The outer or lower end of the nut 37 is preferablypolygonal so as to be readily engaged by a wrench, or the like. Vith theconstruction just described, the spring 36 reacts against the nut 37 andbody 10, through the washer` 38 which is retained in engagement withthe'v 10 lower end of the body. The sprin 36 thas acts to urge the plug11 downwar y in the body.

The packing means 14 is provided to prevent the leaka e of fluid throughthe plug opening 12. T e packing means 14 may be embodied in either thebody 10 or the plug 11. It is preferred, however, to provide the packingmeans 14 on the plug 11. The means 14 is in the nature of expansiblepacking means and is operated or expanded by pressure tending to leaklongitudinally of theplug. Annular recesses or grooves 50 are providedon the exterior of the plug 11 betweenlts upper end and the upper edgeof the opening 32, and between the lower end of the plug 11 and thelower end of the opening 32. In practice, only two recesses 50 need toprovided in the lug, one in the upper portion of the plug' an one in thelower portion of the plug. The outer walls of the grooves 50, that is,the walls furthest from the center of the plug 11, may be made flat orat right angles to the axis of the plug. The oppos1te or inner Walls 51of the groves 50 are tapered or beveled inward toward the center of thebody. The bevel of the walls 51 is preferably slight. A section or bodyof packing 52 is arranged in each of the grooves 50 to cooperate withthe walls of the opening 12.

Thel packing 52 is preferably formed of resilient material such as,rubber, or the like. The packing 52 seats against the outer walls of thegrooves 50 and against the bottoms of the grooves. The inner sides ofthe packing are provided with annular V-shaped grooves 5.5. The grooves55 are adapted to receive fluid that may pass outwardly in the opening12. It will be obvious how pressure exerted by fluid entering thegrooves 55, will cause the packing 52 to be forced tightly against thewalls of the opening 12 and in the recesses in the plug.

Means may be provided for lubricating the core. A plurality of greaseconnections 8O may be provided on the body to deliver rease, or othersuitable lubricating material into the opening 12. In the particularcase illustrated, there is a connection adapted to discharge a lubricantinto the opening 12 adjacent each of the packing rings 50. ITheconnections 80 may be arranged adjacent a vertical rib 18.

It is believed that the practicability and utility of the presentinvention will be readily apparent from the foregoing detaileddescription. It is to'be noted that all the parts of the device are ofheavy and strong construction. The shield or flange 27, byextending'outwardly over the upper end of the body 10, positivelyprevents any fluid that may leak from around the lug from dischargingdirectly upward. urther, it is to be noted that the means 13, bynormally urging the plug 11 into seating engagement 1n the opening 12,operates to prevent leakage around the plug 11. The nut 37 is formedwith the flange 41 which protects vthe spring 36 as well as the washer38. also of hea construction and rotects the lower end o the plug 11 andt e body 10. By turning the nut 37 the pressure exerted by the spring 36ma be adjusted as desired.

Having descrillied only a typical preferred form of my invention I donot wish to limit myself to the specific details set forth, but wish toreserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to thoseskilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention I claim:

1. A stop Cock including, a boiiy having a fluid passage and a taperedtransverse open-i ing, a tapered plug in said openin operable to preventthe How of fluid througIi the passage, reinforcing ribs on the body, andmeans yieldingly urging the plug into the opening lncluding, a stem onthe plug pro'ecting from the body, a washer slidable on t e stem andadapted toengage the body, a nut threaded onto the stem, and a springarranged between the washer and nut, the nut being adapted to engagethewasher.

2. A stop cock of the character described including, a body having afluid' passage and a tapered opening, a tapered plug in the openinghaving a transverse opening, the plug being operable to bring thetransverse opening into and out of register with the fluid passage, theplug having annular grooves at opposite sides of the transverse opening,and rings of expansible packing in the rooves to seal with the walls ofthe taperedg opening, there being annular grooves in the inner sides ofthe rings, the inner walls ofthe grooves in the plug being beveled toadmit fluid into the grooves in the rings. i'

3. A stop cock of the character described including, a body having afluid passage and a tapered opening, a tapered plug in the open1nghaving a transverse opening, the plug being operable to, bring thetransverse opening into and out of register with the fluid passage, theplug having annular grooves at oppos1te sides of the transverse opening,rings of expansible packing in the grooves to seal with the walls of thetapered openin there being grooves in the inner sides of t e rings, theinner walls of the grooves in the plug being beveled to admit fluid intothe grooves in the rings, and means for supply- The nutl 37 is i LELANDSIHAMER.

